South Korea Claims North Preparing For Another Nuclear Test

South Korea claims North Korea could conduct one more nuclear test soon. Just three days ago the fifth test of the country drew immense condemnation from across the world.

On Friday the North tested its most powerful nuclear blast claiming to have mastered mounting of a warhead on a ballistic missile.

South Korean Defense Ministry spokesman Moon Sang-gyun briefed to the press saying, “Assessment by South Korean and U.S. intelligence is that the North is always ready for an additional nuclear test in the Punggye-ri area.”

Moon added the North has a tunnel and it is feared additional nuclear test could be conducted there.

Former director of the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico, Siegfried Hecker, said the claims of North Korea about its achievement need to be taken seriously.

Hecker is also a leading expert on the nuclear program of North Korea. He added the country may have stockpiled enough plutonium as well as enriched uranium that could be sufficient for twenty bombs.

Writing on the 38 North website he however added the claim of North to reach United States with its claimed nuclear warhead is a long way off.

The 38 North monitors North Korea.

Meanwhile, more sanctions are being pushed from the United States and South Korea against North.

Treasury Secretary Jack Lew said the North has become an enormous challenge for them and they will do everything required to continue pressure on the country.